Archive for January, 2010

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Start a Union at Work

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Reasons to Start a Union at Work

1. Job Security

No Union:
Right now, management calls the shots. If they feel like it, you can be let go without reason.

Start a Union:
With UFCW your job is protected. No one can be let go without cause and you are protected from arbitrary discipline with a union.

2. Respect

Without a Union:
If you don’t like how you are treated, your only option is to quit. (Or complain about it)

With a Union:
Respect is written right into the contract with a union. Everyone should be treated with basic respect and dignity at work. UFCW 1518 is one of the most recognized labour unions in Vancouver and BC for winning respect for union members.

3. Fairness

Without a Union:
If you are not treated fairly, there isn’t much you can do about it.

Start a union:
You have 26,000 UFCW union members in your corner, professional negotiators, health and safety advocates and experienced service representatives.

4. Better Pay

Without a Union:
There is no legal obligation in BC to give people raises to keep up with the cost of living. If your boss doesn’t want to give you a raise the only thing you can do is quit.

With a Union:
If you join a union you will sit down at the table with management and negotiate a wage that is fair for what you do. Just like buying a house or a car, the price of your labour is something you have the right to negotiate with a union.

5. A Voice at Work

No Union: Many workers feel afraid to speak up at work when they see something that is wrong because they are afraid of being fired or disciplined.

Start a union: With a union you have a voice. You are able to make suggestions to help improve the business, improve profitability, client care, or the quality of the product you produce. Forming a union at work means you have regular join labour-management meetings where you have the opportunity to voice concerns and suggestions.

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Rexall Shouldn’t Pay Your Store Less than Union Stores

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Why should Rexall Pay your Store less than Other Stores?

Unfortunately corporate office doesn’t get it.

In January, Rexall Workers in Abbotsford voted to join UFCW 1518 to get the same wages and respect as other Rexall Workers in BC.

Because Rexall employees continue to join the union, Rexall gave a wage increase to some stores.

But they stopped short of providing the same vacations, scheduling guarantees, benefits and rates of pay they provide to Rexall employees that are members of UFCW.

Rexall doesn’t want you to join the union because they don’t want to have to pay your store the same rates and benefits they give other stores.

Scheduling:

Rexall is required to give your schedule at least 15 days in advance so you can plan your life.

If they want to change your schedule they have to give you 24 hours notice or 4 hours of pay.

Scheduling is done according to a fairness system, not favoritism.

The employer will endeavour to maximize the number of hours scheduled for part-time employees.

Breaks

One paid 15 minute break after 4 hours of work. One unpaid 30-60 minute break after 5 hours. Another paid 15 minute break after 6 hours.

Overtime Pay

Time and a half after 7.5 hours

Consecutive Shifts

Where an employee is required to work in excess of 5 consecutive days without a break in rest days, the employee shall be entitled to time and a half for time worked on each day in excess of 5 days.

Consecutive Days Off

Guarantee at least 2 consecutive days off every 2 weeks.

Sunday and Evening Premium

Full time employees are entitled to time and a half on Sundays and Weekdays after 6pm or before 6am

Vacation

Full time employees

After 1 year – 4% – 2 weeks vacation
After 3 years – 6% – 3 weeks vacation
After 8 years – 8% -  4 weeks vacation
After 13 years – 10% -  5 weeks vacation
After 18 years – 12% -  6 weeks vacation

Part time employees also get vacation pay but on a different scale

Sick Days

One day for every 303 hours worked to a maximum of 12. Must have over 24 hours a week and be employed for a minimum of 3 months.

Benefits

Medical, Extended Health, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Weekly indemnity, Long term disability.

There is a benefits plan designated for part-time employees.

Discipline

Employees have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. Employees have the right to a witness when speaking with management.

Wages

Rexall employees that are members of the union receive up to $16.10 for Cashiers and $18.16 for Clerks and Pharmacy Techs over a 3 year agreement.

Keyholders get a $1 premium.

Also see:




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Lift the Wage Freeze at Non-Union Shoppers Stores

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Lift the Wage Freeze at Shoppers Now!

UFCW 1518 has started a campaign to get Shoppers CEO Jurgen Schreiber to lift the freeze on wages at non-union Shoppers Drug Mart Stores in BC.

  • Shoppers is one of the most profitable corporations in Canada. Sales were up 7.9% in the last quarter
  • Shoppers CEO Jurgen Schreiber took in $4,377,672 during the same time that he asked you to take a wage freeze as part of the infinity program
  • Shoppers continues to expand and grow their operations because of the work you do
  • He increased the payout to shareholders by 5% – what did your paycheck go up by?

It is unfair that Shoppers Drug Mart continues to cut hours and freeze wages at BC stores without a union.

Everyone should be treated with fairness and respect even if they work at a store without a union.

UFCW 1518 will continue in its effort to get the wage freeze lifted.

Contact us in confidence about forming a union at your store.

Related articles:




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Union Wins Pension Plan for Retail Workers

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Every year many workers join a union to receive medical, dental and pension benefits.

UFCW 1518 members at Cooper’s Foods will now become part of the UFCW 1518 pension plan.

In 2010 Cooper’s Foods will make contributions to the Plan equivalent to 3% of workers earnings and will increases until the contribution rate is 8% of their earnings.

UFCW 1518 is pleased to welcome our Coopers members into the pension plan.

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Farm Workers Make Big Gains after Unionizing

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

A breakthrough agreement was reached between UFCW 1518 and Floralia Growers of Abbotsford.

“We have had a lot of interest from migrant farmworkers in joining the union,” said Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518, “This contract establishes a real measure of justice and dignity for the workers at Floralia.”

Other gains by joining the union included:

  • Contract language that will see workers paid for all hours worked from their start time forward. (Previously workers were asked to work off the clock.)
  • The formation of a Health and Safety committee with worker representation.

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Forming a Union gives Workers a Voice at Work

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

When you join UFCW 1518, the rights of both the employer and employees are spelled out in a legally binding contract.

You sit at the table as equals with management.

Without a union management calls all the shots.

But when you form a union, you and your co-workers have a say in:

  • Health and Safety at your workplace
  • Your wages and how often raises happen
  • Changes to benefit packages
  • A procedure for scheduling
  • Checking to see if discipline has been conducted fairly
  • Changes in the workplace

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What Happens after you Form a Union in Canada?

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

After you form a union in your workplace you begin negotiations with your employer.

The wages, benefits and working conditions that UFCW members already enjoy are all the product of negotiation. In each round of negotiations the union strives to build on your previous contract and make improvements for the benefit of our members.

After forming a union, the negotiation process begins with you and your co-workers submitting proposals to the union for what you would like to see in your first contract.

These proposals are collected and organized and form the proposal “package” presented to the employer when negotiations begin.

With the help of a professional negotiator, a few people from your workplace will meet with your employer and exchange proposals. We find common ground that is acceptable to each side on each proposal.

UFCW 1518 goes to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract, not a dispute.

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Starting a Union to Address Health and Saftey Problems

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

UFCW 1518 has long recognized the importance of a safe work environment, and especially the importance of improving workplace health and safety for our members. Preventing work-related accidents and illnesses has always been a very important priority, not just when workers join a union, but every single day.

Workers in British Columbia have certain rights under the law to safe working conditions and compensation for any injury on the job. Although employers have a legal responsibility to correct workplace hazards that can cause injuries or illnesses, unfortunately without a union, many employers do not always comply with the law.

Our union will fight for your rights and uphold safe working conditions. All members of UFCW 1518 have health and safety provisions in their collective agreements and when you form a union, our health and safety reps worker every day to enforce these rights in your workplace.

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Union for Canadian Tire Workers Wins Wage Increases

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

UFCW 1518 members employed at Canadian Tire in Prince George have a new contract.

Members of the Union at Canadian Tire voted on the terms for a new contract with 92 percent in favour of accepting the deal.

The new contract contains wage increases for every worker at Canadian Tire in Prince George and unprecedented job security language.

Workers at Canadian Tire in Prince George encourage their co-workers across BC to join them and be part of UFCW 1518.

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Union Wins Wage Increases for Shoppers Drug Mart Employees

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Shoppers Drug Mart employees that joined UFCW at store 222 in Vancouver have voted to accept a new contract.

The contract includes

  • Raises over the 3 year term of $1.53/hr for top rate Clerks, and increases of $2.13/hr for top rate Pharmacy Techs
  • $250.00 signing bonus for members who work 32 hours per week or more ($125.00 for members who work less)
  • Improved Health and Safety contract language
  • Improved Leave of Absence contract language

“The settlement did not come easily,” said Ivan Limpright, President of UFCW 1518. “But this is a good contract,” said Limpright, “and has wages, benefits, and working conditions that show workers at non-union drugstores what’s possible when they join a union in BC.”

See Open Letter to Shoppers Employees about Project Infinity




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